Today let’s hop on our bikes and pedal along two spur trails of the Razorback Greenway, one in Springdale and another in Fayetteville.
It’s part of our series here at NWA Outdoors to periodically see the sights of these side paths off the main green-way. The series appears every few weeks, or whenever we get the itch for a bike ride.
Last time we rode the Trail of Two Cities in Rogers and Bentonville. This trip, we’ll ride a short but scenic trail in Springdale, then roll along the Mud Creek Trail in Fayetteville.
This little Springdale trail gem starts at the Lake Spring-dale Trailhead off Silent Grove Road. It’s only one-half mile, or one-mile round-trip. It’s a kid-friendly ride for the training wheel set or perfect for walking during a lunch break at work.
There’s a nice pavilion where this spur begins at a fork along the greenway. The path meanders past some tall shade trees and a bicycle skills course for the kiddos or young at heart.
It’s a flat ride all the way. The trail goes under an overpass, then follows Spring Creek, which has a constant supply of water from the Springdale wastewater treatment plant. Operators of these plants in Northwest Arkansas say the water coming out of them is cleaner than what’s already in the stream, but we digress.
Spring Creek is a lovely stream, with the soothing sound of rushing water. On our bike ride, we saw all kinds of wildlife, including Canada geese, a great blue heron, turtles and squirrels galore. A pretty meadow was speckled with an array of tiny wildflowers.
On our bike ride, we saw all kinds of wildlife, including Canada geese, a great blue heron, turtles and squirrels galore. A pretty meadow was speckled with an array of tiny wildflowers.
A bridge arches over Spring Creek where the concrete trail ends at the Thunder Chicken mountain bike trail. Riders on off-road bikes can play in the dirt after they’ve ridden on the concrete.
This little trail packs plenty of bang for your biking or hiking buck into a short little path.
Farther south along the Razorback Greenway, trail trekkers see the Mud Creek Trail on the north side of Fayetteville. The 2.5-mile spur heads east off the greenway.
Talk about a mix of urban and rural. One minute you’re in the middle of suburbia with apartments, shops and eateries. The next you’re in the woolly swamp.
That’s because parts of the 2.5-mile Mud Creek Trail pass an expansive wetland. It’s great to see a wild area like this in the middle of town. Wood ducks and red-tailed hawks were a delight to see on our out-and-back ride at Mud Creek.
The trail meanders north of Washington Regional Medical Center and south of Butterfield Trail Village. Want to shop or grab a bite to eat? It’s all right here along the trail.
One unique rest bench near the end of the trail is covered in yarn artwork with funny little sayings woven in. It’s worth a stop to check it out and enjoy a water break.
Mud Creek Trail ends at Old Missouri Road where there’s a parking area and trailhead.
One-half mile or so west of this trailhead, explorers can take another spur that heads north to Lake Fayetteville. All in all, Mud Creek Trail is a mighty fine ride.
Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected] .
